Police in Kent are seeking a man with 'distinctive light coloured hair' who shot a cyclist from his van last week.

The rider, a 39-year-old man, was riding in the direction of Rye at 5.15 pm on Thursday 28 June about a mile and a half from Appledore village.

He noticed a white van travelling in the opposite direction which slowed down, then the driver pointed what looked like an air pistol at him.

He shot the cyclist and drove off, leaving him shaken and with a wound to his right arm.

PC Justin Farrow, investigating the incident said: "I would particularly like to hear from anyone who has been involved in a similar incident, or who may have been in the area at the time this happened.

"This could have been so much worse, had the pellet hit the cyclist in the eye."

The van is described as a white coloured Vauxhall Astravan, with alloy multi-spoke wheels, and possibly tinted glass windows. The driver was male, with distinctive light coloured hair.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Farrow on 101 quoting ref ZY/17759/12.

Alternatively if you have information but wish to remain anonymous call Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

I cycle to this station every day and drive by shootings are not an every day occurrence. In fact most crimes are pretty rare (getting scared by a numpty passing you at 60mph leaving a gap of 30cm - much more common).

Realise that Appledore seems a long way away to urban folk (and it is in Kent not in Devon). If you are struck by car or shot at, it is a long wait for a passer by to help you and even longer wait for an ambulance (22miles to nearest hospital)

Guy was lucky, looks like my helmet cam will be needed here rather than in London.

I had a group of teens in a car throw eggs at me once at the time I thought I was hard done by but reading this I realise that there are worse things that can happen and like RobbieC (unfortunately 30mm is nearer the norm by me) I wear a helmet cam on virtually all my jaunts out.